Skimming device for bessemer converters, large ladles, and the like



May 29, 1951 H. L. MGFEATERS 2,554,836

SKIMMING DEVICE FOR BESSEMER CONVERTERS,

LARGE LADLES AND'THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR. I Harry L. Mc Feafers May 29, 1951 H. L. MCFEATERS 3 2,5

SKIMMING DEVICE FOR BESSEMER CONVERTERS,

LARGE LADLES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 14, 1948 5JNVENTOR.

Harry L. Ma Feafers May 29, 1951 H. L. MCFEATERS SKIMMING DEVICE FORBESSEMER CONVERTERS LARGE LADLES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May14, 1948 INVENTOR. Harry L. Me Featers 0m mm y 1951 H. MCFEATERS2,554,836

- SKIMMING DEVICE FOR BESSEMER CONVERTERS,

LARGE LADLES AND .THE LIKE Filed May 14, 1948 4 She'ets-Sheet 4 IN VENTOR. Harry L. Ma Feafers i atented May 29, 1951 UNITED. sIATELsSK-IMMING DEVICE FOR BESSEMER CON- VERTERS, LARGETLADLES AND THE LIKEHarry"'-L. McFeaters; New Castl'e,-- P211, assignortmPennsylvania--Enginecring Corporation; a corporation of PennsylvaniaApplication,Mayi'I4, 1948, Serial No. 27,078

Thisinventionrelates toslag skimmer-s for tiltable Bessemer converters:and large illtable ladles or the like and-arr object of this inven---tion is to produce animpro'ved' slag skimmerfor-such vessels.

Another object isto produce an" improved wa-- ter cooled slag skimmerfor -ti-lta-ble- Bessemer" converters, large tiltableladles'and thelike.

Another object isto produce an-improvecl: hy-

draulically operated slagskimmer for tiltable Bessemer converters,ladles and the like:

A still further object" is to produce an improved hydraulica'llyoperated water cooled slag skimmer for 'tiltableBessemer converters;ladies and the like. 7

A still further object is-tdproducean improved water cooledslag-skimmer'for tiltable- Bessemer converters, thatcarr be operated at a safedistancefrom the converter.

These and other ob'jectswhiclr will be appaient to those skilled in thisparticular-art, I attain by means of the structuresdescribed in thespecification and illustrated in the drawings accompanying and formingpart of thisappli cation.

In the drawings: I Figure 1 is a:- view mainly in sideelevation of atiltable Bessemer-converter equipped with a slag skimmer embodying this'-inve'ntion and" this view shows the skim'm'er in operation dur ingpouring of the-molten -metal'from the converter to a ladle;

Fig; 2' is a view similar'to-Figure l of-the con-' verter and shows theskimmer hold-ing'backthe slag after all of the molten metalhas-beenpoured Fig; 3'isa view similar-to Figs. 1 and-2 i theconverterin upright or blowing-position: Thisview shows the skimmer'membermovedto posi tion: outside of the converter;

Figs: 4 and 5 areoutside el'evational viewsof the converter uprightposition and these views-show the position of'the skimmer and itsoperating mechanisms when the skimmeris not in use; i

Fig. 6 is a V-lewpartially in eleva-tibm and par tially in: sectionlooking toward the-'- mouth of the :converter when the a converter is inthe posi- 6 Claims. (Cl. 266%37) tion showm in: Fig: 2 andxiiscloses theskimmer support means, the water cooli'ng'system andthe; piping: for.the hydraulicskimmer I operat ing; devices;

Figs] and.8 are sectionalLdetaik views oe ans of; the; skimmermechanism; Fig. 8 being takenon 1ine:VIII- VI=II of 6;:

ATENT orrrce:

Fig. 9, is a top sectional view of the skimmer and that part of its"support mechanism to which it is-rigidly' attached;

Fig; 10 isan elevational-view of the mecha-- nism for swinging thesupport frame and skimmer toward-"a-nd from the mouthof the converter:

Fig: 11 is an elevationalview of-the mechanism for adjusting thepositionof" the skimmerwith relation" to the level 'ofthemetal content of theconverter;

Figs 12 isa sectional view taken on line Ifl-I-XII of Fig. 11;

Fig; 13" is a sectional view taken on line" Fig? 14 is a sectional Viewtaken on line XIV-'-XI'VOf Fig. 10; and

Fig: 15-is-a diagrammatic view of the hydraulicsystem which forms a partof theskimmer mechanism.

The device of-this inventionis carried by and becomes part of theconverter'in connection with which itis to be used and comprises askimmer on slag hold-back blade or member; means formounting the samefor swinging movement into and from the mouth ofthe con-- verter; meansfor adjusting the skimmer mem ber-withrelation to the-level of the metalcontentof the converter, means for circulating-cooling water-throughtheskimmer; and control valves by means of which the device is operated.

Two pads 20- and 2| secured to the shell of the nose of the converteradjacent the converter mouth are each provided with an outwardlyextending boss 22. Within the boss of pad 20 a'stub shaft-23 is rigidlysecured while a stub shaft 24 is rigidly secured within the boss of pad2|. These stub shafts for-m supports upon which side members 255 and 25of the mounting means for the skimmer member ofthe device are: mountedfor swinging movement.

The skimmer membelwwhich is numbered '21,

is made of suitable metal, is hollow, and by means-of'tubul'irrconnecting members 28 and -29 is joined to a tubularmember-BU-which connects the outer ends of sidemembers 2'5 andZfi.

Side members 25- and 26 in conjunction with tubular connecting member-3Qconstitute a supporting frame for skimmerfi, and such frame is pivotallyconnected totheconverter by means of stub shafts 23' 'and- 24.

The openings inside members 25 and 26 for receivingthe stub shafts areprovided with suitable bearing bushings 3 l A: gear 32 is mounted on andsecured to atubular portion 33 which extends laterally from side member25 and surrounds a tubular extension of bushing 3 I. An annular member34 serves as an abutment member and is secured to shaft 23 by means of awedge key 35 which is driven into a hole formed for its receptionadjacent the end of such shaft 23. A bearing washer 34a is mounted onshaft 23 between abutment member 34 and the adjacent end of gear 32. Awasher 36 on shaft 24 is held in place by means of a wedge key 3'! whichis driven into a hole formed for its reception in shaft 24.

Tubular end member 30 of the support frame is built up at its ends bysleeves 38 which are preferably welded in place as shown at 39 in Fig.7; this being an enlarged view of the end at the right side of Fig. 6.

These thickened ends of member 36 are journaled within bearing bushings46 secured within openings in the outer ends of side members 25 and 26.

Sleeve 38 at the right-hand side of Fig. 6 has a gear 4| keyed theretoand a nut 42 threaded to such sleeve as at 43 prevents key 44 fromworking out of its slot in gear 4|.

The frame which supports skimmer member 21 and which is mounted forswinging movement about stub shafts 23 and 24, is swung, in carrying theskimmer member into and from the mouth of the converter, by thehydraulically operated mechanism of Figs. 10, 13 and 14.

This mechanism comprises an hydraulic cylinder 45 carried by pads 46 and41 secured to the converter shell between one of the converter trunnions48 and the converter mouth. Cylinder 45 contains a piston 49 (Fig. towhich a piston rod 50 is attached. A rack 5| carried by piston rod 56meshes with gear 32 and is therefore adapted, as it is reciprocated, toswing the skimmer support frame about stub shafts 23 and 24 into andfrom operative position.

Tubular member 36 which is provided with hollow branches 28 and 29 tothe outer ends of which skimmer member 21 is secured, as before pointedout, is mounted for rotation with relation to frame side members 25 and2B and carries gear 4| which is keyed to one of its sleeves 38. Tubularmember 30 is rotated in order to adjust the position of skimmer member21 with relation to the level of the metal content of the converterduring pouring operations and such rotation, and therefore suchadjustments, are obtained by means of the hydraulically operatedmechanism disclosed in Figs. 11 and 12.

This mechanism comprises an hydraulic cylinder 52 which is carried bybrackets 53secured to side member 26 of the skimmer member mountingframe. Cylinder 52 contains a piston 54 (Fig. 15) to which a piston rod55 is attached. A rack 56 carried by piston rod 55 meshes with gear 4|and is therefore adapted, as it is reciprocated, to rotate tubularmember 30 to adjust the position of the skimmer member 21 with relationto the level of the metal content of the converter during pouringoperations, as before pointed out.

Cylinders 45 and 52 are under the control of four-way valves 57 and 58respectively.

Oil under pressure is supplied to cylinders 45 and 52 by a pump 59driven by a motor 68. A tank 6| receives the oil discharged fromcylinders 45 and 52 and pump 59 draws its supply of oil from tank 6|through line 6| a. The lines between valve 51 and the opposite ends ofcylinder 45 are numbered 62 and 63 while those between valve 58 and theopposite ends of cylinder 52 are numbered 64 and 65. The lines betweenvalves 51 and 58 returning oil to tank 6| are numbered 66 and thepressure lines between pump 59 and valves 51 and 58 are numbered 61.

If desired, pump 59 instead of discharging directly into lines 6! maydischarge into a pressure tank or an accumulator and one or the other ofthese as the case may be, under the control of valves 51 and 58, woulddischarge to pressure line 61. A starter switch for motor 60 may beunder the control of valves 51 and 58 or, if a pressure tank isemployed, a pressure responsive Switch may be used to operate the motorwhen the pressure therein falls below a predetermined point.

Lines 64 and 65, in line with the axes of stub shafts 23 and 24 and alsoin line with the axes of trunnions 48 of the converter are provided withswivel joints 69 of any desired type. Ball bearing swivel joints such asmade by Chiksan Company, Brea, California, and Barco Swivel Jointsmanufactured by Barco Mfg. Company of Chicago, 111., have been foundsatisfactory.

Lines 62 and 63, in line with the axes of trunnions 48 of the converterare provided with swivel joints 10 similar to joints 69.

During operation of the converter, as well as during pouring, coolingwater is circulated through skimmer member 21 and tubular support 30 bymeans of inlet piping II and exhaust piping l2. Inlet piping 1| connectswith a suitable source of supply (not shown) of cooling liquid, such ascooling water. The inlet piping includes a length of pipe 13 whichparallels side member 25 of the support frame for the skimmer, and isrigidly attached thereto by a brace 14. At one end pipe 13 is providedwith a swivel joint 15 which connects it with the interior of tubularmember 36 and at its opposite end it is provided with a swivel joint 16in line with the axes of stub shafts 23 and 24. This piping alsoincludes a section of pipe ll which is connected to pipe 1| by means ofa swivel joint 18 which is in line with the axes of trunnions 48 of theconverter. Outlet piping 12 includes a section of pipe 19 similar tosection 13 of the inlet piping and this by a brace 14 is rigidlyconnected to swing with frame side member 26. This section 13 isalsosupplied with swivel joints at its opposite ends.

The outlet pipin also includes a section similar to section 11 which isalso equipped with swivel joints at its ends in line with the axes ofstub shafts 22 and 23 and the axes of the converter trunnions 48.

The piping for conveying pressure fluid to and from cylinders 45 and 52,as well as water inlet and outlet piping 1| and 72 which parallels thesupport columns of the converter, as shown in Fig. 6, is secured to suchcolumns by bracing members 8|. These members hold in position thestationary portions of the swivel joints that are in line with the axesof the converter trunnions 48.

What I claim is:

l. A slag skimmer or hold-back device for mounting on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprising a slag skimmer orhold-back member, mounting means for such member adapted to be pivotallyconnected to the converter shell adjacent the converter mouth, remotelycontrolled means for swinging such mounting means to move such skimmermember into and from the converter mouth, and remotely 76 controlledmeans carried by such mounting means for adjusting the position of suchskimmer member with relation to the level of the metal content of theconverter during pouring.

2. A slag skimmer or hold-back device for mounting on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprising a hollow skimmermember, mounting means for such member adapted to be pivotally connectedto the converter shell adjacent the converter mouth, remotely controlledmeans for swingin such mounting means to move such skimmer mem ber intoand from the converter mouth, remotely controlled means for adjustingthe position of such skimmer member with relation to the level of themetal content of the converter during pouring, and means for circulatingcooling liquid through such skimmer member.

3. A sla skimmer or hold-back device for mounting on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprising a water cooledskimmer member, a mountin frame for such member adapted to be pivoted tothe converter adjacent its mouth, remotely controlled fluid actuatedmeans for swinging such mounting frame to move such skimmer member intoand from the converter mouth, and remotely controlled fiuid actuatedmeans carried by such mounting means for adjusting the position of suchskimmer member with relation to the level of the metal content of theconverter during pouring.

4. A slag skimmer or hold-back device for mountin on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprising a hollow skimmermember, a, support frame for such member including side members adaptedto be pivotally connected to the converter shell adjacent the convertermouth, hollow means carried by such side members, rotatable withrelation thereto and connecting with the interior of such skimmermember, means for circulating cooling liquid through such hollow meansand such skimmer member, remotely controlled means for swinging suchsupport frame to move such skimmer member into and from the convertermouth, and remotely controlled means carried by such mounting frame foradjusting the position of such skimmer member with relation to the levelof the metal content of the converter during pouring.

5. A slag skimmer or hold-back device for mounting on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprisin a hollow skimmermember, a support frame for such skimmer member including side membersadapted to be pivotally connected to the converter shell adjacent theconverter mouth and tubular means carried by such side members,rotatable with relation thereto and having its interior connected withthe interior of such skimmer member, remotely controlled means includingan hydraulic cylinder for swinging such frame to move such skimmermember into and from the converter mouth, and remotely controlled meansincluding an hydraulic cylinder carried by one of such side members foradjusting the position of such skimmer member with relation to the levelof the metal content of the converter during pouring.

6. A slag skimmer or hold-back device for mounting on and use with atiltable Bessemer converter; such device comprisin a hollow skimmermember, a support frame for such member comprising side members adaptedto be pivotally connected to the converter shell adjacent the convertermouth and a tubular end member carried by such side members, mounted forrotation with relation thereto and having branches which carry suchskimmer member and connect the interior of such member to the interiorofsuch tubular member, remotely controlled fluid actuated means forswinging such frame to move such end member to and from a position infront of the converter mouth with such skimmer member within theconverter mouth, remotely controlled fluid actuated means carried bysuch support frame for adjusting the position of such skimmer memberwith relation to the level of the metal content of the converter duringpouring, and means for flowing cooling water through such tubular endmember, through its branches and through such skimmer member.

HARRY L. MCF'EATERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,796,871 Madorsky Mar. 17, 19311,827,504 Anderson Oct. 13, 1931 2,042,037 Camerota May 26, 1936

